An isolator includes a body including an input connector and an output connector. The isolator also includes an outer shield positioned at least partially around a portion of the body. The isolator also includes a coupling member electrically coupled to the outer shield and positioned at least partially within the outer shield. The isolator also includes a coaxial circuit positioned at least partially around a first portion of the coupling member. The isolator also includes a toroid positioned at least partially around a second portion of the coupling member. The toroid is configured to filter radio frequency (RF) signals. The first portion and the second portion are axially-adjacent to one another. The isolator also includes a conditioning circuit in communication with the input connector and the output connector. The conditioning circuit is configured to condition the RF signals communicated between the input connector and the output connector.
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17. An isolator comprising:
an outer shield;
an input connector;
an output connector;
a conditioning circuit configured to condition signals communicated between the input connector and the output connector;
a coupling member electrically connected to the output connector, wherein the coupling member comprises an anti-rotation feature that is configured to prevent the conditioning circuit from rotating;
a coaxial circuit configured to provide ground isolation between the input connector and the output connector; and
a compression material configured to apply an axial force to the coaxial circuit.
57. An isolator, comprising:
a body comprising an input connector and an output connector;
an outer shield configured to be positioned at least partially around a portion of the body;
a conditioning circuit configured to be positioned at least partially within the body, the outer shield, or both, wherein the conditioning circuit is configured to condition radio frequency (RF) signals communicated between the input connector and the output connector;
a coupling member configured to be positioned at least partially within the body, the outer shield, or both, wherein the coupling member comprises an anti-rotation feature that is configured to prevent the conditioning circuit from rotating; and
a coaxial circuit configured to be positioned at least partially around the coupling member.
6. An isolator, comprising:
a body comprising an input connector and an output connector;
an outer shield positioned at least partially around a portion of the body;
a coupling member electrically coupled to the outer shield and positioned at least partially within the outer shield;
a coaxial circuit positioned at least partially around a first portion of the coupling member;
a toroid positioned at least partially around a second portion of the coupling member, wherein the toroid is configured to filter radio frequency (RF) signals, wherein the first portion and the second portion are axially-adjacent to one another; and
a conditioning circuit in communication with the input connector and the output connector, wherein the conditioning circuit is configured to condition the RF signals communicated between the input connector and the output connector.
63. An isolator, comprising:
a body comprising an input connector and an output connector;
an outer shield configured to be positioned at least partially around a portion of the body;
a conditioning circuit configured to be positioned at least partially within the body, the outer shield, or both, wherein the conditioning circuit is configured to condition radio frequency (RF) signals communicated between the input connector and the output connector;
a coupling member configured to be positioned at least partially within the body, the outer shield, or both, wherein the coupling member comprises an anti-rotation feature that is configured to prevent the conditioning circuit from rotating;
a coaxial circuit configured to be positioned at least partially around a first portion of the coupling member; and
a toroid configured to be positioned at least partially around a second portion of the coupling member.
41. An isolator for providing ground isolation between a first cable or a first device and a second cable or a second device, the isolator comprising:
a body;
an outer shield positioned at least partially around the body;
a conditioning circuit positioned at least partially within the outer shield and configured to condition signals;
a coupling member positioned at least partially within the outer shield, wherein the coupling member comprises a single annular member that is configured to block a line of sight from an interior of the coupling member to the outer shield, and wherein the coupling member comprises an anti-rotation feature that is configured to prevent the conditioning circuit from rotating; and
a coaxial circuit positioned at least partially between the body and the coupling member, wherein the coaxial circuit is configured to provide a connection between the body and the coupling member, wherein the coaxial circuit is configured to at least partially attenuate direct current (DC) signals between at least two of the body, the outer shield, and the coupling member.
52. An isolator for providing ground isolation between a first cable or a first device and a second cable or a second device, the isolator comprising:
a body;
an outer shield positioned at least partially around the body;
a first connector that is configured to connect to the first cable or the first device;
a second connector configured to connect to the second cable or the second device, wherein the first connector and the second connector are configured to transmit radio-frequency (RF) signals therebetween;
means for conditioning the RF signals, wherein the means for conditioning is positioned at least partially within the body, the outer shield, or both;
means for attenuating the RF signals being transmitted to the outer shield, wherein the means for attenuating the RF signals is positioned at least partially within the outer shield; and
means for attenuating direct current (DC) signals being transmitted between at least two of the body, the outer shield, and the means for attenuating the RF signals, wherein the means for attenuating the DC signals is positioned at least partially between the body and the means for attenuating the RF signals.
1. A coaxial radio frequency (RF) isolator, comprising:
a first connector configured to connect to a first device;
a conductive body comprising a second connector and a conductive outer shield, wherein the conductive body and the conductive outer shield at least partially form a first internal cavity;
a dielectric barrier positioned at least partially between the conductive body and the conductive outer shield;
a conductive coupling/filtering member positioned at least partially within the conductive outer shield, the dielectric barrier, or both, wherein the conductive coupling/filtering member at least partially forms a second internal cavity;
a thru-RF signal transmission path extending through the first internal cavity and the second internal cavity, the thru-RF signal transmission path configured to receive a RF signal from the first device and output the RF signal to a second device, wherein the RF signal is conditioned in the thru-RF signal path between the first device and the second device;
a coaxial coupling element positioned at least partially within the first internal cavity, wherein the coaxial coupling element is configured to couple the conductive body, the conductive outer shield, and the conductive filtering/coupling member; and
a magnetic toroid positioned at least partially around the conductive coupling/filtering member and coupled to the coaxial coupling element.
24. An isolator for providing ground isolation between a first cable or a first device and a second cable or a second device, the isolator comprising:
a body;
an outer shield positioned at least partially around the body;
a first connector that is configured to connect to the first cable or the first device;
a second connector configured to connect to the second cable or the second device, wherein the first connector and the second connector are configured to transmit radio-frequency (RF) signals therebetween;
a coupling member positioned at least partially within the outer shield, wherein the coupling member comprises a single annular member that is configured to prevent a line of sight from an interior of the coupling member to the outer shield, such that the coupling member is configured to at least partially attenuate the RF signals from being transmitted through the coupling member to the outer shield;
a signal conditioning device positioned at least partially within the body, the outer shield, or both, wherein the signal conditioning device is configured to condition the RF signals transmitted therethrough; and
a coaxial circuit positioned at least partially between the body and the coupling member, wherein the coaxial circuit is configured to provide a connection between the body and the coupling member, and wherein the coaxial circuit is configured to at least partially attenuate direct current (DC) signals between at least two of the body, the outer shield, and the coupling member.
2. The isolator of
3. The isolator of
5. The isolator of
7. The isolator of
8. The isolator of
9. The isolator of
an insulator ring comprising an inner surface and an outer surface;
a first conductor layer formed on the outer surface of the insulator ring;
a second conductor layer formed on the inner surface of the insulator ring; and
one or more electrical circuits electrically coupled between the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer.
11. The isolator of
12. The isolator of
13. The isolator of
14. The isolator of
15. The isolator of
the toroid is positioned at least partially between the coaxial circuit and the second coaxial circuit; and
the second coaxial circuit is positioned at least partially between the toroid and the second toroid.
16. The isolator of
18. The isolator of
the coaxial circuit is positioned at least partially around a first portion of the coupling member; and
the toroid is positioned at least partially around a second portion of the coupling member.
19. The isolator of
an insulator ring;
a first conductor layer formed on an outer surface of the insulator ring;
a second conductor layer formed on an inner surface of the insulator ring; and
one or more electrical circuits electrically coupled between the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer.
20. The isolator of
the one or more electrical circuits comprise one or more of a capacitive circuit, an inductive circuit, a resistive circuit, and a filtering circuit;
the coaxial circuit is a printed circuit board; and
the first circuit comprises one or more of a high pass filter, a low pass filter, an amplifier, a bandpass filter, a band reject filter, and a Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) circuit.
21. The isolator of
a first axially extending surface;
a second axially extending surface that is circumferentially offset from the first axially extending surface; and
a circumferentially extending surface that extends between the first and second axially extending surfaces.
22. The isolator of
23. The isolator of
25. The isolator of
26. The isolator of
27. The isolator of
28. The isolator of
a spacer positioned at least partially between the body and the outer shield; and
a sleeve positioned at least partially between the body and the outer shield,
wherein the spacer and the sleeve are configured to form a barrier between the body and the outer shield to electrically-insulate the body from the outer shield.
29. The isolator of
30. The isolator of
31. The isolator of
32. The isolator of
34. The isolator of
35. The isolator of
36. The isolator of
an outer layer configured to contact the body, wherein the outer layer comprises a conductive material;
an inner layer configured to contact the coupling member, wherein the inner layer comprises the conductive material; and
a ring comprising a dielectric material, wherein the ring is configured to electrically-isolate the outer layer from the inner layer.
37. The isolator of
38. The isolator of
39. The isolator of
40. The isolator of
42. The isolator of
43. The isolator of
44. The isolator of
a spacer positioned at least partially between the body and the outer shield; and
a sleeve positioned at least partially between the body and the outer shield, wherein the spacer and the sleeve are configured to form a barrier between the body and the outer shield to electrically-insulate the body from the outer shield.
45. The isolator of
an outer layer configured to contact the body, wherein the outer layer comprises a conductive material;
an inner layer configured to contact the coupling member, wherein the inner layer comprises the conductive material; and
a ring comprising a dielectric material, wherein the ring is configured to electrically-isolate the outer layer from the inner layer.
46. The isolator of
47. The isolator of
48. The isolator of
49. The isolator of
a first axially extending surface;
a second axially extending surface that is circumferentially offset from the first axially extending surface; and
a circumferentially extending surface that extends between the first and second axially extending surfaces.
50. The isolator of
51. The isolator of
53. The isolator of
54. The isolator of
55. The isolator of
56. The isolator of
58. The isolator of
a first axially extending surface;
a second axially extending surface that is circumferentially offset from the first axially extending surface; and
a circumferentially extending surface that extends between the first and second axially extending surfaces.
59. The isolator of
60. The isolator of
61. The isolator of
62. The isolator of
64. The isolator of
a first axially extending surface;
a second axially extending surface that is circumferentially offset from the first axially extending surface; and
a circumferentially extending surface that extends between the first and second axially extending surfaces.
65. The isolator of
66. The isolator of
67. The isolator of
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This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/290,216, filed on Oct. 11, 2016, which claims benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/239,685, filed Oct. 9, 2015. The entire contents of each of these documents is incorporated herein by reference.
In a typical building, ground potential in the electrical systems of the building needs to be equalized for all networks so that different networks function properly. For example, a power line and cable television (CATV) network require equal ground potentials as they utilize common equipment. For developed countries, the ground installation and setup may be regulated, and thus the networks in a building may not experience issues. On the other hand, other jurisdictions where regulation is less, improper grounding may become an issue when different networks have different ground potentials.
When two networks are connected, for example, when a cable is connected to the CATV set top box, a current will flow from CATV network to a neutral line of the set top box or vice versa if the ground potentials are not equal. In some cases, this current may reach levels that damage the set top box, and may even become hazardous to the user or installer. Therefore, the neutral lines of these networks need to be isolated to prevent current flow.
Currently, there are isolators available to address this problem. However, the available isolators are bulky and expensive. For example, in some isolators, isolation is achieved on a printed circuit board that has two ground metallization: one side of the metalization connected to a female connector side and the other side of the metalization to a male connector. The coupling between two ground metalizations is achieved via a coupling capacitor and electromagnetic interference (EMI) filtering is achieved on the printed circuit board from one side metalization to the other using ferrites. This configuration results in large and bulky isolators.
Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure provide a coaxial radio frequency (RF) isolator. The isolator includes a first connector configured to connect to a first device. The isolator also includes a conductive body including a second connector and a conductive outer shield. The conductive body and the conductive outer shield at least partially form a first internal cavity. The isolator also includes a dielectric barrier positioned at least partially between the conductive body and the conductive outer shield. The isolator also includes a conductive coupling/filtering member positioned at least partially within the conductive outer shield, the dielectric barrier, or both. The conductive coupling/filtering member at least partially forms a second internal cavity. The isolator also includes a thru-RF signal transmission path extending through the first internal cavity and the second internal cavity. The thru-RF signal transmission path is configured to receive a RF signal from the first device and output the RF signal to a second device. The RF signal is conditioned in the thru-RF signal path between the first device and the second device. The isolator also includes a coaxial coupling element positioned at least partially within the first internal cavity. The coaxial coupling element is configured to couple the conductive body, the conductive outer shield, and the conductive filtering/coupling member. The isolator also includes a magnetic toroid positioned at least partially around the conductive coupling/filtering member and coupled to the coaxial coupling element.
In another embodiment, the isolator includes a body including an input connector and an output connector. The isolator also includes an outer shield positioned at least partially around a portion of the body. The isolator also includes a coupling member electrically coupled to the outer shield and positioned at least partially within the outer shield. The isolator also includes a coaxial circuit positioned at least partially around a first portion of the coupling member. The isolator also includes a toroid positioned at least partially around a second portion of the coupling member. The toroid is configured to filter radio frequency (RF) signals. The first portion and the second portion are axially-adjacent to one another. The isolator also includes a conditioning circuit in communication with the input connector and the output connector. The conditioning circuit is configured to condition the RF signals communicated between the input connector and the output connector.
In another embodiment, the isolator includes an outer shield, an input connector, and an output connector. The isolator also includes a conditioning circuit configured to condition signals communicated between the input connector and the output connector. The isolator also includes a coupling member electrically connected to the output connector. The isolator also includes a coaxial circuit configured to provide ground isolation between the input connector and the output connector. The isolator also includes a compression material configured to apply an axial force to the coaxial circuit.
Various features of the implementations can be more fully appreciated, as the same become better understood with reference to the following detailed description of the implementations when considered in connection with the accompanying figures, in which:
In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying figures, which illustrate specific examples of various implementations. Electrical, mechanical, logical and structural changes can be made to the examples of the various implementations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present teachings. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense and the scope of the present teachings is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
According to aspects of the present disclosure, an isolator can be implemented that provides flexibility with EMI filtering, ground coupling, and surge protection outside a main printed circuit board (PCB) assembly. In some implementations, the isolator can be provided with a coaxial PCB with metal contacts plated on the edges of the coaxial PCB. The arrangement of the coaxial PCB allows it to be press-fit in the isolator, which reduces assembly time in manufacturing the isolator. Additionally, because the PCB includes a coaxial design, space utilized by the coaxial PCB in the isolator is reduced. Further, the coaxial PCB can be designed to provide ground connections between two isolated cavities. In some implementations, the isolator includes an EMI filtering cavity, which can include the coaxial PCB and one or more toroids.
The isolator 100 can include a body 102 that includes a connector 104, a threaded nut 105, and an outer shield 106. In some implementations, the connector 104 can be a female connector that includes one or more threads that can connect to, for example, a male connector of a RG-6 coaxial cable. The threaded nut 105 can be screwed onto the threads of the connector. The outer shield 106 can be configured to slide over a portion of the body 102 up to a lip 110. In some implementations, the body 102 and the outer shield 106 to form an internal cavity for the components within the isolator 100. In some implementations, the outer shield 106 can be compression fitted over the body 102 such that the two can be securely attached without the use of, for example, an adhesive material or solder. The body 102 and the outer shield 106 can be formed of a conductor material, for example, a metal or metal alloy. In some implementations, the isolator 100 can also include a spacer 108. The spacer 108 can be formed as a cylindrical ring to be placed over a portion of the body 102. The spacer 108 can be formed a dielectric material, such as a plastic insulator. When the outer shield 106 is compression-fitted over the body 102, the spacer 108 can fit between the lip 110 of the body 102 and an inner lip 112 of the outer shield 106.
In some implementations, the isolator 100 can include a sleeve 114 that includes a peripheral lip 116. The peripheral lip 116 can be formed such that an outer diameter of the sleeve 114 at the peripheral lip 116 is smaller than an outer diameter the remaining portion of the sleeve 114, while the inner diameter of the sleeve 114 is substantially the same over the length of the sleeve 114. The peripheral lip 116 can be configured to receive the spacer 108. The sleeve 114 can be formed of a dielectric material, for example, a plastic insulator. The sleeve 114 can be placed between the outer shield 106 and the body 102. In embodiments, the outer diameter of the peripheral lip 116 can be substantially the same as an inner diameter of the spacer 108. The spacer 108 and the sleeve can create an electrically-insulative barrier between the body 102 and the outer shield 106 that electrically isolates the body 102 from the outer shield 106 when the shield is compression fitted on the body 102.
In some implementations, the isolator 100 can include a coupling/filtering member 118. The coupling/filtering member 118 can be pressed inside the outer shield 106 to form a smaller internal cavity that is used for the components of the isolator 100, as further described below with reference to
With continuing reference to
Returning to
The PCB 120 can be configured to condition signals passing from the PCB coupler 122 to the output pin 124. The PCB 120 can include any type of circuitry 126 to provide filtering and conditioning to the signals passing from the PCB coupler 122 to the output pin 124. For example, the PCB 120 can include one or more low-pass filters, bandpass filters, band reject filters, high-pass filters, amplifiers, diplexers, Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) filters, and the like.
In implementations, the isolator 100 includes a coaxial PCB 130. The coaxial PCB 130 can be configured to provide a connection between the body 102 and the filtering/coupling member 118 and the outer shield 106. While coaxial PCB 130 is illustrated as having cylindrical shape, the coaxial PCB 130 can be formed using other profiles (e.g., rectangular, triangular, oval, etc.).
The coaxial PCB 130 can include one or more surface mounted circuits 310 (e.g., a surface mounted technology (SMT) circuit) placed on the isolator ring 304 and a plated via a hole 312 formed axially in (e.g., through) the isolator ring 304. The plated via hole 312 can be formed at least partially from conductor material, for example, a metal or metal alloy. In some implementations, for example, the one or more surface mounted circuits 310 can include capacitive circuits, inductive circuits, resistive circuits, filtering circuits, and the like. The outer conductor layer 306 and the inner conductor layer 308 can be electrically coupled through the one or more surface mounted circuits 310.
The coaxial PCB 130 illustrated in
Returning to
Still referring to
In implementations, the isolator 100 includes a support member 134 configured to hold the PCB coupler 122 in place for connection of devices or cables to the input of the isolation device 100 at the connector 104. The support member 134 can be formed in a cylindrical shape with a hole to receive the PCB coupler 122 and sized to fit within a diameter of the connector 104.
Further, implementations of the isolator 100 can include a compression member 136 configured to provide axially-directed force on the components of the isolator 100 to improve the mechanical connections of the components. For example, the compression member 136 can be configured to provide force on the coaxial PCB 130 and/or the toroid 132. In some implementations, for example, the compression member 136 can be a spring or any other resilient member.
Additionally or alternatively, the body 102 can be comprised of three separate elements: first body element 615, second body element 620, and third body element 625 configured to be press-fit together during assembly of the isolator 100. In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the body 102 is configured to provide electrical isolation of the isolator 100 via insulative sleeve 114, and EMI filtering via and coaxial PCBs 130 and toroids 132.
In implementations of the isolator 100 illustrated in
In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the connector/filtering member 610, the first body element 615, second body element 620, and third body element 625 can be securely press-fit together during manufacture without using any solder or adhesives. For example, the following elements can be serially assembled within the outer shield 106: a spacer 108, connector 104 and body element 625, threaded nut 105, support member 134, PCB coupler 122, PCB 120, output pin 124; sleeve 114, a coaxial PCB 130, a toroid 132, body element 620, a coaxial PCB 130, body element 625, toroid 132, a spacer 108, connector/filtering member 610, and support and sealing member 128. As discussed previously, the connector/filtering member 610 can be configured to be securely press-fitted into an outer shield 106 to hold the securely hold the forgoing elements of the isolator 100. While the elements are described as being assembled in a particular order, it is understood the some of the elements can be assembled together before being assembled. For example, the PCB coupler 122, PCB 120, and the output pin 124 can be assembled prior to insertion into the support member 134. The assembled elements, as shown in
While the teachings have been described with reference to examples of the implementations thereof, those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications to the described implementations without departing from the true spirit and scope. The terms and descriptions used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. In particular, although the method has been described by examples, the steps of the method may be performed in a different order than illustrated or simultaneously. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “including”, “includes”, “having”, “has”, “with”, or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description and the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” As used herein, the terms “one or more of” and “at least one of” with respect to a listing of items such as, for example, A and B, means A alone, B alone, or A and B. Further, unless specified otherwise, the term “set” should be interpreted as “one or more.” Also, the term “couple” or “couples” is intended to mean either an indirect or direct connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct connection, or through an indirect connection via other devices, components, and connections.
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